How much is a good Web Developer worth? The answer is “Quite a bit,” as evidenced by the average web development salaries. But which Web Developer jobs pay the most? In this guide, you’ll learn about the top ten highest-earning positions in the field of web development plus factors that affect how much you can make as a Web Developer.
Highest Paying Web Development Jobs
Listed below are the top ten highest-paying jobs in web development along with a brief description of each one. Keep in mind that the salaries provided are the average for that position in the United States; the actual amount will vary depending upon your location.
1. Ruby Developer
Web Developers who specialize in the Ruby programming language are among the highest earners in the field of web development; on average, they earn $125,000 per year. A Ruby Developer is a backend development professional who’s responsible for creating an application’s databases, libraries, and logic. The primary tools they use to accomplish this are Ruby and the Ruby on Rails framework, though they’re likely to use other languages as well.
2. Back End Web Developer
The second highest web development job is specializing on the server side as a Back End Web Developer; on average, they typically earn $118,000 per year. Back end development deals with all the behind-the-scenes technology that users don’t typically see, such as servers, databases, and applications. It’s the responsibility of Back End Web Developers to create, test, debug, and maintain all of these components which support the front end of a website and allow it to function.
3. Python Developer
Rounding out the top three highest-earning jobs in web development is Python Developer; the average salary for Python Developers comes in at $115,000 annually. Python Developers are typically responsible for writing web application back ends, automating scripts, and implementing projects using Python. Their job responsibilities may also include designing high-performance applications, creating database schemas, and implementing security protections.
4. Front End Web Developer
Front End Web Developers also earn pretty high salaries, making an average of $102,000 per year. Front end web development involves coding all of the client-side elements of a website. A Front End Web Developer is responsible for creating everything that the user sees and interacts with, making sure that the website is not only beautiful and user-friendly but that it runs seamlessly as well.
5. C++ Developer
Another high earner on the list is C++ Developer, earning an average of $115,000 annually. The primary role of a C++ Developer is to use their knowledge of C++ and other programming languages to create applications that meet their clients’ needs. They’re also responsible for maintaining and repairing code after the application has been completed.
6. Java Developer
Java Developers also earn a high wage, with salaries averaging around $115,000 per year. A Java developer is a programmer who’s proficient with coding in Java. Their primary responsibilities include designing, testing, and implementing fully integrated programs and applications. They also work to monitor completed programs and resolve any technical issues that may arise.
7. JavaScript Developer
Another high earner on the list is JavaScript Developer; they tend to earn around $106,000 per year on average. Though a JavaScript Developer can work on the front end, back end, or full stack, they’re typically focused on the user experience and interface. They’re generally responsible for developing websites, implementing visual designs, and creating digital features like fonts, banners, and dropdown menus.
8. Full Stack Web Developer
You can also earn high wages working as a Full Stack Web Developer; their average earnings per year equal $104,000. Full stack web development is the combination of both front end and back end web development; that means it deals with both the user-facing elements of a website plus all the technological components behind the scenes that users don’t have access to. A Full Stack Developer needs to have wide-ranging skills and knowledge of a variety of programming languages, including those listed above for front end and back end development.
9. C Developer
Another high-earning career path is C Developer; they usually make around $103,000 per year on average. The primary duty of a C Developer is to create code that integrates into operating systems, OS modules, embedded systems, or low-level libraries for other high-level languages. C is a general-purpose programming language but since it’s quite old, its usage is limited to a few niche industries. Because of this, there aren’t many qualified C Developers, which has driven up the average salary.
10. .NET Developer
Finishing out the top ten list of highest-earning web development jobs is .NET Developer; they earn yearly salaries equalling approximately $101,000. .NET Developers are typically responsible for collaborating with clients, Computer Scientists, and other team members to create and maintain applications using the .NET Microsoft framework.
Factors Affecting Web Developer Wages
The salaries provided above reflect average earnings for that position in the United States. While they can help you develop a better understanding of how much Web Developers earn, you must be aware that there are several factors that influence your wages, including:
Location
Your place of residence has a considerable effect on your earning potential as a Web Developer; salaries tend to reflect whether you’re located in an area with a high or low cost of living. For example, the average salary for Front End Web Developers across the United States is $102,271. If you live in a state like California with a relatively high cost of living, you’ll earn more—the state-wide salary average for Front End Web Developers in California is $121,448.
On the other end of the spectrum, Front End Web Developers living in Mississippi, a state with a low cost of living, will only earn $54,671 on average. In Texas, which has a cost of living slightly lower than the national average, Front End Web Developers earn $101,295, which is just under the average national salary for that job role.
Experience
The amount of experience you have also plays a role in how much money you earn. If you’re just starting out as a Web Developer, you can expect to earn quite a bit less than an experienced programmer would. Let’s look at JavaScript Developers as an example. The average salary for Junior JavaScript Developers in the United States is $74,401. That’s approximately $37,000 less than a Senior JavaScript Developer in the U.S. who earns $111,433 on average. The good news is that starting salaries in web development are much higher than most professions and your earning potential will increase considerably after just a few years of experience.
Company Size
The size of the company you work for will have some bearing on the amount of money you’ll earn as a Web Developer. If you’re lucky enough to land a job at a Fortune 500 company or other large corporation, then it’s pretty likely you’ll end up earning six figures. You might also be able to negotiate a decent compensation package at a startup, depending upon how well funded they are. However, you’re likely to find salaries at small companies lacking; they don’t have nearly the resources that large corporations and well-funded startups do, so they’re likely to offer less compensation.
Skill Set
The kinds of skills that you have to offer an employer will also influence how much money you make. In essence, the more you know, the higher your earning potential. For example, a Back End Web Developer with an average understanding of just one or two programming languages won’t earn nearly as much as someone with extensive knowledge of three or four back end languages. To maximize your earning potential, expand your skill set by learning essential Web Developer tools, frameworks, and libraries such as React, Express.js, Git, VSCode, and npm.
How to Become a High-Earning Web Developer
If you want to become a well-paid Web Developer, then you should consider enrolling in a web development bootcamp. Bootcamps are the ideal way to acquire the skills you need to start a new career; they offer intensive skills-based classes on an abbreviated schedule, so you’ll be ready for your new profession in just a few short months. For maximum flexibility, you can even take a web development bootcamp live online.
If you’re not quite ready to complete a full bootcamp, another option would be to sign up for individual web development classes. That makes it possible for you to expand your skills and gauge your overall interest in web development before committing to a bootcamp. Depending on where you’re located, you might even be able to find some web development classes in your area. If none seem to be available nearby, you can always take web development classes live online without having to leave your home.
